Netflix’s latest true-crime drama, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, has quickly become a streaming hit, but not without controversy. One of the real-life brothers, Erik Menendez, has spoken out against the series, calling it a “disheartening slander.” Released last week, the show stars Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez as the brothers, with Javier Bardem and Chloe Sevigny portraying their parents. Following in the footsteps of the Monsters series about US serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, which faced its own backlash, this new show explores the infamous Menendez case from multiple perspectives.
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Who Are Lyle and Erik Menendez?
The Menendez brothers gained infamy in 1989 when they shot and killed their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion. Aged 21 and 18 at the time, the brothers initially claimed to have discovered their parents’ bodies upon returning home. However, they were later charged with the murders.
After two trials, the brothers were convicted in 1996 of first-degree murder and conspiracy to murder, receiving life sentences without the possibility of parole. They claimed the killings were in self-defense after years of alleged physical, emotional, and sexual abuse by their father. The prosecution argued, however, that their motive was financial gain.
How Does the Netflix Series Portray the Menendez Story?
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story dives into the events leading up to the murders, including the brothers’ claims of abuse. The series takes a unique approach, presenting the narrative from both the brothers’ and their parents’ perspectives, based on extensive research by the creators.
Despite the gripping subject matter and the initial success of the show, critics have not been kind. Jesse Hassenger of The Guardian found the series “exhausting and repetitive,” while Ben Travers of IndieWire described it as a “messy, salacious slog.” Similarly, Aramide Tinubu from Variety commented that, despite strong performances, the show “has no idea what it wants to be” and devolves into a retelling of “unspeakable abuses and gruesome crimes.”
Ed Power from The Telegraph added: “Under the withering gaze of the Netflix algorithm, no subject is too sensitive to be off-limits or turned into eyeball fodder.”
Erik Menendez’s Reaction to the Series
Erik Menendez, who is currently serving a life sentence in San Diego, California, released a statement through his wife on X (formerly Twitter), condemning the Netflix drama. He called the show’s portrayal of his brother Lyle a “caricature” filled with “horrible and blatant lies.”
Erik expressed disappointment that the series revived harmful narratives about their case, particularly surrounding male sexual abuse. He said, “Netflix’s dishonest portrayal of the tragedies surrounding our crime has taken the painful truths several steps backward.”
He also criticized the creators for undermining progress made by male victims of sexual abuse over the past two decades, stating that the series promoted outdated beliefs that “males experience rape trauma differently than women.”
Ryan Murphy’s Response
Series co-creator Ryan Murphy, known for producing hit shows like Glee, American Horror Story, and The Watcher, defended the series. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Murphy pointed out that Erik’s statement was made without having seen the show. He acknowledged the difficulty of seeing one’s life depicted on screen but emphasized that the series gave considerable attention to the brothers’ claims of abuse.
Murphy stated that around “60-65%” of the series focuses on the alleged abuse and offers the brothers their “day in court.” However, he also noted that the show aimed to represent the parents’ point of view, saying: “There were four people involved, two people are dead, what about the parents? We had an obligation as storytellers to also try and put in their perspective based on our research, which we did.”
A Controversial but Popular Series
As Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story continues to dominate Netflix’s streaming charts, the controversy surrounding it highlights the tension between artistic interpretation and real-life experiences. While Erik Menendez and his supporters see the show as a regressive portrayal of their trauma, the creators stand by their work, citing the need for balance in storytelling.
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